Hudgell Solicitors is representing a man in relation to allegations of historic sexual abuse by a family GP in Shropshire in the early 1970s.

It is alleged the abuse took place over a four year period at a GP surgery in the market town of Whitchurch. The GP the allegations are being made against has since died.

Allegations were made public when the victim’s account of the alleged abuse, and the subsequent impact on his life, were published in an anonymous article in his local newspaper earlier this month.

The alleged abuse is said to have taken place when the individual was aged nine to 13-years-old during appointments and check-ups, sometimes when he was with the GP alone, and on occasion when the GP examined him behind a screen with his mother in the room.

Allegations of sexual abuse involved penetration using instruments.

West Mercia Police has today confirmed it is investigating the allegations and that it has received five reports of ‘non-recent sexual offences’ in Whitchurch.

Victoria Neale, of Hudgell Solicitors, is representing the man – who has made his allegations to West Mercia Police – with a view to taking legal action through the Government’s Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA).

She said: “This is obviously a very serious investigation into allegations of repeated sexual abuse of a young boy, over a number of years, by a trusted family GP.

Our client has been suffering psychologically and has only recently, with the support of trained professionals, been able to face his past and feel in a position to make these allegations to the relevant authorities, and inform his family. He has been extremely brave in doing so.

His counsellor has confirmed to us that he is only in a position to be able to deal with this matter now, and subsequently only told his wife after 30 years of marriage.

Given the police are now investigating five reports of possible offences, there is obviously a huge matter of public interest here in fully investigating these alleged sexual assaults.

There may be many more people out there who have, until now, felt unable to speak, as our client did, but there are many areas of support which can be provided to victims of sexual abuse to help them better cope with the psychological impact of having felt unable to share with others what happened to them.

Paul Roberts, spokesman for West Mercia Police, told The Shropshire Star: “West Mercia Police has received five reports of non-recent sexual offences in Whitchurch. All reports of sexual offences are taken very seriously irrespective of when they took place and will be thoroughly investigated.

“Investigations are in the early stages and there are no further details at this time.”